Bridges



March 10, 1970 R. 'r. WELD 3, I

BBBBB ES R. T. WELD March 10, 1970 BRIDGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.1, 1967 R. T. WELD March 10, 1970 BRIDGES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept.1, 1967 March 10, 1970 R. T. WELD 3,499,179

BRIDGES Filed Sept. 1, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4.

March 10, 1970 R. 'r. WELD 3,499,179

BRIDGES Filed Sept. 1, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 9,176/Int. Cl. E0ld /14 us. or. 14-21 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Abridge or like load carrying structure comprises a plurality ofconnected sections. Each section has a row of spaced members arrangedalong the length of each lower edge of an adjacent section. Compressionfaces extend along the upper edge of each section, and connectingmembers are provided for retaining the compression faces of adjoiningSections in face to face juxtaposition. Guides and stop plates areprovided for assisting in the assembly process. Pontoons may be attachedto the bridge structure to provide or increase buoyancy, andmotor-driven propellers may be used for mobility.

This invention relates to bridges and similar load carry- 9 ingstructures and in particular to such structures which arebuilt up insections so that they may be readily transported for example byaircraft. Suchscctions must be made so that they can be quicklyconnected together and disconnected, which operations must be capable ofbeing performed, many times without damaging or reducing the strength ofthe connections.

One convenient construction for the sections of a bridge is of a hollowbox-like form, the upper side of the connected structure providing aroadway and arranged to withstand compressive stresses whilst the lowerside of the structure withstands tensile stresses. Thus connections madebetween the lower sides of two sections must be capable of withstandingconsiderable tensile forces whilst the connections between the upperside of the sections must withstand mainly compressive forces, togetherwith small tensile forces which may be generated on assembly of thebridge.

With a hollow box-like form of bridge section it is possible to connectthe sections together and use them as a raft or a floating bridge and ifnecessary connect pneumatic floats to the sections to increase buoyancy.For this use of bridge sections the connections at both the upper andlowerside of the sections must be capable of withstanding bothcompressive and tensile forces.

The object of this invention is to provide connections for connectingtogether sections to form a bridge or a raft which connections areeasily and quickly made.

According to this invention a bridge or similar load carrying stucturecomprises a plurality of sections joined together, the lower edges ofadjoining sections being connected by interlocking a plurality of spacedmembers along the edge of one section withta plurality of corresponding, cooperating spaced members along the edge of the adjoiningsection, the upper edges of the sections being provided with compressionfaces which are brought into face to face juxtaposition and retained bysuitable connecting members. The connecting members may conveniently beT'headed bolts carried by one section and engaging in elongatedapertures in the adjoining section.

Additionally, adjacent the upper sides of the sections shear pins ordowels may project from one section into sockets in the other section.

3,499,179 Patented Mar. 10, 1970 Certain forms of the invention, as usedto construct a bridge or raft, are described by way of example only withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a bridge spanning a ditch,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of the bridge showing the sections, a

FIG. 3 is a similar exploded view of part of a raft or floating bridge,a cover plate being omitted from one section 15 to show the underlyingconstruction,

FIG. 4 is a broken, side elevation of one section of a bridge,

FIGURE 4a is a fragmentary view of one of the bridge sectionsillustrating the details of a kerb and its supporting structure,

FIG. 5 is a detail of a connecting bolt, and

FIG. 6 is a detail of interlocked lugs.

The bridge, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a number of hollow,rectangular, box-like sections 1, connected together to form the mainstructure of the bridge, and

having tapered ramp sections 2 connected to the ends of the mainstructure. When connected together, the longer sides of the sections 1lie tranversely across the bridge with the shorter sides of the sectionsformingthe sides of the bridge. Kerbs 3 are hinged to the sections 1 ontheir upper surfaces, parallel to and adjacent the shorter edges, whichkerbs are rotated into an inclined position 3a and retained there bystruts 22 when the bridge is assembled, and folded flat 3b when thesections are being transported. Struts 22 are more clearly shown inFIGURE 4a and comprise a simple hinged rod 22a having 'a stirrup 30 atthe lower end thereof which clips onto a small bar 32 on the deck of thebridge when the kerb is in an upright position. in the folded positionof kerb 3, struts 22 clip onto retaining bars 34 located in recesses 23in the short sides of the sections 1. Along the lower edge of each ofthe longer sides of each section 1 are a number of spaced lugs 4 ofTshaped form having legs 4b and head 4a when seen in plan. These lugs 4are either formed integrally with plates or bars 5 which are secured tothe sections 1 or are secured direct to the sections, e.g. by boltingThe lugs 4 are shaped and spaced in such a way that apertures 4c,between the heads 4a of lugs 4 and the said lower edge of the section 1to which they are secured, are large enough to contain the heads 40 oflugs 4 attached to an adjoining section. The gaps between the heads 4aof neighboring lugs 4 on a section l are wide enough to permit theinsertion thercbetwcen of the leg members 4b of lugs 4 attached to anadjoining section, but narrow enough to ensure that when two sections 1are attached together with the legs 4b of the lugs 4 of each sectionpassing between the heads 4a of the lugs 4 of the adjoining section,each head 4a is retained in apertures 4c behind heads 4:: of lugs 4 onthe adjoining section. Moving the sets of lugs 4 into their interlockingposition is helped by the provision, on each section, of an upstandingguide 6 tapered transversely as shown at 6a which may be, as shown, anintegral part of an end ing, which guide 6 engages with an end lug 34 onthe adjacent section during assembly to guide the adjacent section intoposition. Stop plates 24 (FIG. 4) are provided, one at each end of onelonger side of each section 1 just below lugs 4. These plates 24 extendoutwardly with their upper faces flush with the lower faces of the lugs,4 their outermost edges being level with those faces of the lugs 4closest to thevside of the section 1 to which said lugs 4 and said stopplates 24 are attached. The stop plates 24 prevent thelugs 4 of aninterlocked adjoining section 1 from descending, through the apertures4c, below the lugs 4 associated with the stop plates 24 duringconnection of the upper edges of the sections. Thereafter the lugscannot disengage until the upper edges are disconnected. Along thelonger sides of each section and at the upper edges thereof arecompression faces 7, normally vertically disposed, which withstand thecompressive forces between the upper edges of the sections of thebridge. Chamfered dowels 8 project perpendicularly from the compressionfaces of each section 1 and engage in holes 9 in the compression facesof adjacent sections to resist shearing forces between two connectedsections. T- shaped locking bolts 10 carried by each section projectperpendicularly through the compression faces 7 and through elongatedapertures 11 in the compression face of the adjoining section whereinthey are secured by being rotated through 90 by handles 12 (FIG. fixedto the locking bolts 10. if desired, the bolts may incorporatecam-actuated tightening devices operating as follows. A collar 13,surrounding the shank 14 of each locking bolt at the junction with itshandle 12, engages a cam surface 130 in the section carrying the saidshank 14, so that the compression faces 7 of connected sections aredrawn and held closer together. The bolts thus serve to keep the dowels8 in engagement with the corresponding holes 9, and to resist tensileforces.

To build a bridge across a ditch or river, two sections 1 are connectedtogether by maneuvering one section into position so that the heads 4aof its lugs 4 are located above the apertures 4c behind the heads oflugs 4 on the other section, and lowering it until its lugs 4 rest onthe stop plates 24 so that the lugs 4 of the two sections interlock,assistance in positioning being given by the engagement of the end lug34 with the tapered guide 6. The locking bolts 10 are then operated tolock the two sections together. Further sections are then added asrequired. The ramps 2 are then connected to the two end sections in amanner similar to the connections between each section, and arranged torest on the river banks. After raising the kerbs 3, the bridge is readyfor use.

To enable the bridge to be built across rivers and the like withdifl'ering bank heights or to form a floating bridge, articulatedsections 15 (FIG. 3) are fitted between the ramps 2 and the main part ofthe bridge. These allow the ramps 2 to be arranged at differinginclinations to the main part of the bridge depending upon the groundslope under the ramps. The articulated sections 15 are in two parts 15aand 15b pivotally connected together near their lower edges by hinges 16which extend transversely of the bridge. Each section 15 is similar tothe sections 1 in that T-shaped lugs 4 and T-shaped locking bolts 10 areprovided along the longer vertical side of parts 15a and 15b remote fromthe hinges 16. On the upper surface of the articulated sections 15,above the hinge 16, cover plates 17 are arranged to cover any gapbetween the two parts of the articulated sections; the cover plates 17are attached to one of the said parts 15a and slide on the upper surfaceof the other part 15b. The angle between the parts 150 and 15b of thearticulated sections may be adjusted for example by means of hydraulicrams (not shown) located within the parts 154 and connected to the parts15b by means of rods 21 attached to their pistons. These rams arepreferably of a (known) type incorporating a slow bleed to permitautomatic adjustment to changes in water level .without being responsiveto rapidly applied loads as are applied by the crossing of a vehicle.

The sections of the bridge may be connected together to form a raft asshown in FIG. 3, the buoyancy of which can be increased by securingpnuematic floats 18 to the sides of the sections 1. Additionally, hollowsponsons 19 may be secured at the corners of the raft. These sponsons 19may have stowage space for outboard motors 20 which can, when required,be secured as at 20a to the outside of the sponsons 19 in any suitableknown manner to propel the raft. Both floats and sponsons may be securedin any suitable manner to the sections, the method of securing them doesnot form part of the present invention and will not be furtherdescribed.

The articulated bridge sections 15 and ramps 2 can be secured to theends of the raft to build a floating bridge. Carrying handles 25 may beprovides as required.

I claim:

1. A bridge or like load carrying structure comprising a plurality ofconnected sections, each of said sections having upper edges adapted tobe connected to the upper edge of the next preceding and the upper edgeof the next succeeding section, respectively, and lower edges adapted tobe connected to the lower edge of the next preceeding and the lower edgeof the next succeeding section, respectively; a row of interlockingmembers placed in a spaced relationship along said lower edges forconnecting said lower edges forming continuous joints, said interlockingmember comprising T-shapcd lugs the heads of said T-shaped lugs being atthese ends of said lugs remote from the section to which they areattached, said lugs being adapted to interlock by engagement of saidheads of the lugs on one section and the spaces between the lugs on theadjoining section; surfaces formed on said upper edges for providingopposed compression surfaces for connected sections and connecting meansfor retaining said compression surfaces in face-to-face juxtaposition.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connecting meanscomprises T-headed bolts carried by one section and engaging inelongated apertures in an adjoining section.

3. A structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein are provided, cam-actuatedtightening devices associated with said bolts for drawing and holdingthe compression faces closer together.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein shear pins are provided onthe sides of at least some of the sec tions for engagement in sockets inadjoining sections to prevent relative shearing movement between thesections.

5. A structure as claimed in claim 1, incorporating sections of scaled,hollow, rectangular box like form.

6. A structure as claimed in claim 1, incorporating end sections in theform of ramps, tapered in the vertical plane.

7. A structure as claimed in claim 6, incorporating at least onearticulated section, inserted between said ramps and other sections ofthe structure whereby the angle between the load carrying surface of theramps and that of the other sections may be adjusted.

8. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one articulatedsection is inserted between other sections of the structure whereby theangle between two portions of the load-carrying surface of the structuremay be adjusted.

9. A structure as claimed in claim 1, having pneumatic floats attachedthereto to increase its buoyancy.

10. A structure as claimed in claim 1, incorporating at least onesponson to which an outboard motor may be attached when the structure isused as a raft.

11. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein folding kerbs areprovided along those edges of the sections which will form the sides ofthe load-carrying surface.

12. A structure as claimed in claim 1, incorporating hollow rectangular,box-like sections connected together to form the main, intermediateportion of the structure; ramp sections, tapered in the vertical plane,and connected to said portion to form end portions of the structure;said connecting means comprising T-headed bolts carried by one sectionand engaging in elongated apertures in an adjoining section and camactuated tightening devices, associated with said bolts, for drawing andholding the compression faces of adjoining sections closer together.

13. A structure as claimed in claim 12 incorporating- Refcrencos CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1952 Blackhall 94--8 7/1961 Storey 14-27 XR2/1962 Gillois et al. 14-27 5/1962 Storoy 14-27 XR 10 3,323,157 6/1967Vaugoyeau 14-27 XR 3,386,117 6/1968 Sterner 14--27 FOREIGN PATENTS1,060,280 6/1969 Germany.

US. Cl. X.R. 114--0.5

